Formerly a lead-mining centre with a population of several thousand, the village of Reeth in Swaledale has become a tourist centre housing a local community of a few hundred residents. This outing visits two neighbouring settlements: Grinton (taking time to visit St. Andrew’s church) and High Fremington. There’s plenty of parking in Reeth.

Set out from the cobbled area in front of the King’s Arms, pass Barclays Bank and enter a narrow lane – signposted ‘to the river’. At the lane end turn left, then right to pass the doctor’s surgery, before descending to a gate. Veer right across the fields, cross the suspension bridge and turn left. Walk alongside the river, noting the stepped field ridges (Anglo Saxon cultivation systems) and Reeth School across the river to the left. Maintain the same line across a field to enter an enclosed lane. Eventually the river reappears, and the lane merges with a road – turn left.

Fifty yards beyond a white painted house, pass through a narrow stile on the left and continue between the river and the churchyard to emerge at a main road in Grinton. Turn left, cross Grinton Bridge and swing right to rejoin the riverside path. Note the ‘old’ and ‘new’ arches – a result of bridge-widening a century ago.

Cross three stiles before leaving the riverside, to rise to another stile and onto a road. Turn left, follow the road to a junction and turn right to follow the road uphill for 200 yards seeking a stile on the left – signpost ‘Fremington’.

Cross the field to a narrow stile, maintaining the same course through a succession of stiles to arrive at a narrow tarred lane. Turn right and follow the lane until a signpost to Arkengarthdale is reached on the left. At this juncture leave the hard surface and begin a 1/2 mile stroll along a green lane which offers superb views of Reeth.

The lane terminates at a gate, but continue on to a stile 100 yards beyond and swing left. Pass to the right of a large barn to pass through two stiles in quick succession. Beyond these swing left towards a stile beneath a large tree and on through two fields to emerge at Reeth Bridge. Cross the bridge and return into the village.
From ‘Walks Around Richmond’ by Richard Musgrave

The information given in this walk has been provided in good faith and is intended only as a general guide. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that details were correct at the time of publication, the author and Country Publications Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies. It is the responsibility of individuals undertaking outdoor activities to approach the activity with caution and, especially if inexperienced, to do so under appropriate supervision. The activity described in this walk is strenuous and individuals should ensure that they are suitably fit before embarking upon it. They should carry the appropriate equipment and maps, be properly clothed and have adequate footwear. They should also take note of weather conditions and forecasts, and leave notice of their intended route and estimated time of return.